Córdoba Romana

The foundation of Cordoba on the site it still occupies today, where the landscape clearly outlined the transition between two geographical, cultural and also human universes: Plateau and Andalusia, Sierra Morena and countryside, barbarism versus refinement, mines, livestock, pastures and hunting versus the best Hispanic area of agricultural exploitation, had as main justification its control over the river, true 'gift' of the peninsular south as was the Nile for Egypt and determining factor of civilization, A geostrategic point, at the very point where the valley of the Guadalquivir begins, reinforced by important communication routes, with guaranteed access to a wide range of resources and a first class commercial hub favored by its river port, with direct access to the Atlantic. These were all premises of great importance for Rome, which always took these aspects into account when choosing the location of its most important urban and distribution centers. In this way, it is possible to understand its territorial leadership and its capital role, in a casuistry very similar to that of so many other cities destined to play a military, political and commercial role of the first order that, in the case of Cordoba, would end up forging a colossal and exemplary city, capable of investing all its resources in creating a new image of itself, destined to reinforce its loyalty to the Emperor's cause. This work analyzes the city in depth from its Turdetan origins to its consolidation as a great classical city, dives into its public and private spaces and pursues the imprint and identity of Rome in Cordoba through its best artistic productions. It thus brings to light what had been hidden for so long.